For the first time in 2025, shipping companies under Dutch supervision had to pay for their reported CO2 emissions in 2024. This took place under the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).
Of these companies 93% fully complied with all obligations1. Of the remaining 7% some turned out not to be required to submit, which means the percentage is ultimately actually slightly higher. On the overall European level 87% of companies complied with the EU ETS2 obligations. Shipping companies subject to the EU ETS reported 92.4 million tonnes of CO2. Of which 7.4 million tonnes of CO2 were under Dutch oversight, about 8% of the European total3.
Image: © NEa
Figure 1: Breakdown of number of shipping companies (left) and emissions (right) by Member State in percentage terms. The table at the bottom shows the absolute numbers. The data for the six largest member states, in terms of allocated number of companies, is shown here individually. Source: Data from EU Registry (reference date 1 October 2025).
Despite 2024 being the first year for shipping companies to participate in the EU ETS, compliance has been high among the companies allocated to the Netherlands.
The picture is also positive at European level. In virtually all the member states, a large majority of companies are compliant with their obligations. This shows that, despite its international complexity, the EU ETS Maritime Transport is workable in practice. Overall at the European level, 13% (494) of companies were ultimately non-compliant. Where possible, the relevant authorities will enforce the surrender of compulsory allowances by this group.
A new era for the maritime transport sector
As the EU ETS marks a new era for the maritime transport sector, the process of surrendering allowances is being phased in. For 2024, maritime transport companies had to surrender emission allowances on 40% of their emissions. Next year, this rises to 70%. For the year 2026, they will surrender allowances (in 2027) on 100% of their emissions.
The importance of the European ETS has increased with the recent one-year postponement of the global IMO initiative, which could have provided a global means of achieving reductions in CO2 emissions from the maritime transport sector. The ETS is currently the only large-scale framework that incentivises international shipping companies to reduce CO2 by pricing their emissions.
The Netherlands: large share, strong performance
The Netherlands plays a relatively large role within the EU ETS Maritime Transport. The Netherlands' regulation covers 402 shipping companies, which is the fourth largest number in Europe after Spain (711), Germany (707) and Greece (705). This makes the Netherlands responsible for about 11% of all companies covered by the EU ETS. These are not only European companies, but also include international shipping companies sailing to, from and within Europe (Figure 2).
Image: © NEa
Figure 2: Distribution of shipping companies allocated to the Netherlands, expressed as a percentage. Shipping companies from outside the EU are allocated to a member state based on frequency of port visits, among other things. Source: Data from EU Registry (reference date 1 October 2025).
The shipping companies faced stiff challenges. These companies operate internationally, already have numerous administrative obligations and had to comply with the aforementioned new obligations in a short period of time within a European IT system that does not allow national adjustments.
The first year does show potential for improvement, especially in the timely submission of emissions reports. Expectations for the coming years are positive, however.
In 2027, the EU ETS Maritime Transport will be expanded further when greenhouse gases nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) are also included. In addition, large offshore vessels (> 5,000 GT) will be added to the target group in that year. These do not currently have to pay for their emissions.
Notes
1 'Compliant with the obligations' in this context refers to remitting sufficient emission allowances for the CO2 emissions produced in the European EU ETS Registry from calendar year 2024 before the deadline.
2 The EU ETS scope covers the entire European Economic Zone (all EU member states, plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).
3 Based on data from the European registry (reference date 1 October 2025).